Back before us millennials had the audacity to think we could be whatever we wanted, there was a time we had computers…with no internet. Hard to believe, but it’s true. What’s even harder to believe, scientists have been tinkering with solar thermal energy since the early 20th century! As technology advanced, so did ideas about solar energy, and government attitudes toward the renewable energy source (climate change deniers notwithstanding). Enter GRID Alternatives; a non-profit that provides solar energy installations to low income families, free of charge! Listen to volunteers and employees of GRID explain why they chose to set up office in the Mid-Atlantic, the valuable experience volunteering has, and why they’re so charged up about solar energy! Follow GRID on IG: @gridmdv

“Jordan Year” is a big step for writer and poet Wallace Lane. It represents a selfishness he had to cultivate in order to be happy and turn away from a career in Criminal Justice. It’s also the author’s first book, self-published and auto-biographical. The title of the book also holds a certain significance for Wallace, one he explains in this interview. Wallace is already working on a second edition of the book, and all his plans moving forward are about giving back to Baltimore’s youth. Find Wallace on IG, @wallykool. Pick up a copy of Jordan Year here or at Dovecote Café!

Frazier is one of many New Yorkers who came down to Baltimore. A Queens native, Frazier got his education (in more ways than one) at Morgan State in Northeast. He co-founded City of Gods, a clothing and lifestyle brand that’s all about uplift, community engagement and black excellence. Listen as Frazier talks about the brand, coming up in New York, and the time someone got knocked out at an event at the shop. Follow Gods on IG: @godsneverdie and @godsneverdiephilly.

Jay’s a rapper from Baltimore, and my first musical artist as a guest. I met him through another guest, Rob Simmons. Jay’s on the quieter side but if you listen to his music you can immediately tell he’s his best self when he’s rhyming. We talk about growing up in Baltimore, how his older sister kept him out of trouble, and how he moved from producing to rapping. Follow Jay on IG: @saintcooljay

I was surprised how long Shavise and I talked for this one. I spent more time talking with Shavise about her day job than I did talking about what I knew her for, the Flavor and Soul food blog! With recipes, local finds and personal “favorites” Shavise herself describes Flavor and Soul as “not a weight loss blog”, though her career in public health has her working with clients to get their mind and body right. Follow Flavor and Soul on Instagram, @flavorandsoul(.)

Flowers have been a symbol for many things over the years and above all they signify beauty. A city with a garden of flowers is a dream Walker Marsh had, and instead of thinking about it he set out to do it. There were a lot of setbacks and failures for Walker, but they all helped build a mindset of resilience and perseverance. Tha Flower Factory is his baby, and he wants to watch it grow into something beautiful.

Self reflection can come at any time. For Justin Temple, it comes several times a day. As a yoga teacher and student, Justin believes principles taught in yoga have crept into his everyday life. He thinks it’s making him a better person. Yoga has international appeal but it wasn’t always this way. Two Indian yogis brought the ancient art to the West and now, yoga’s come under fire as appropriation. Justin explains that yoga wasn’t some secret ripped from the hands of its forefathers; rather a gift that one culture gave to the world, and smiles at its spread across the globe.

**note**
I had the mic levels a little too high on this one, so my narration will sound scratchy/gainy. Everyone’s riding their own horse.

C Harvey’s hustle is undeniable. She was a working professional at age 19, but the cold unflinching hand of life grabbed her by the neck and in its own special way told her, “be yourself”. After much hardship including abusing synthetic drugs, C. got back on track and is living her truth. We talk about being chin checked by reality, learning that you really really need to crawl before you can walk, practicing stillness, hard lessons for Baltimore’s arts scene, and taking up space to better the community.

​​​​I’m a fan of The Crown (the other one, not the Netflix show) and every so often when I go there, either Abdu is about to go on stage or he just ripped another set. His presence in Baltimore’s music and arts scene is well known, so I was excited to sit down and talk with him. He told me up front he would know if I wasn’t thorough in my research, so I made sure to do my homework and ask questions that’d get him talking. Hit Abdu on the gram, that’s where you’ll usually find him: @abdu_ali (it might be two underscores).

Audio from Local Color’s second live show at ExittheApple Artspace! I sat down on a comfy couch with artist and filmmaker Pierre Bennu to talk about making art, growing up in a foreign household, saying “uhh” a lot, and what it takes to be an artist. IGs for everyone involved: @localcolorpodcast, @exittheapple, @_regularblack (new episodes March 7th), @jtbeezwax, @exittheappleartspace, @blk.sugar, @amandammack(.) Holla @flavorandosoul for the shirt I’m wearing. Thanks to everyone for coming out! Another live show sometime soon, most likely when it’s warm(er) out. Pics by Selly Smith: